92365 Midwifery Practice 4: Complex Labour, Birth and the Puerperium
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 92359 Women with Complex Pregnancies AND 92361 Midwifery Practice 3: Complex Pregnancy
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Students in this subject work in simulated learning environments to learn and develop the requisite midwifery practice skills. Students engage in midwifery practice and this subject provides opportunity for them to reflect on their practice. In the midwifery practice setting, students work with midwives and implement care based on clinical decisions developed in collaboration with others. Students are expected to continue with their continuity of midwifery care experiences. The skills acquired in this subject relate to, and are supported by, the concurrent theoretical subject Complex Labour, Birth and Puerperium.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Assess, plan, implement and evaluate practice skills in complex labour, birth and postnatal period (NMBA 3.5, 4.2, 4.3 ) |
|---|---|
| B. | Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for women experiencing and immediate recovery from a surgical procedure (NMBA 3.6, 4.2, 4.3, 6.2) |
| C. | Demonstrate the ability to undertake midwifery skills in relation to postoperative care and wound healing (NMBA 1.2, 4.2, 4.3, ) |
| D. | Effectively document the recognition and management in complex situations (NMBA 3.2, 3.5, 3.7 ) |
| E. | Apply theoretical underpinnings to the skills developed in this subject (NMBA 1.2, 3.3) |
| F. | Demonstrate appropriate competency in midwifery practice (NMBA 3.1, 3.2, 3.8) |
| G. | Reflect on clinical experiences and provide rationale for care provision (NMBA 3.4, 5.1, 7.3) |
| H. | Demonstrate appropriate proficiency in drug calculations (NMBA 3.1, 3.2) |
| I. | Assess, plan, implement and evaluate practice skills in complex labour, birth and postnatal period (NMBA 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4) |
| J. | Continue with midwifery continuity of care experiences (NMBA 1.7, 2.1, 2.2, 4.2) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Practice woman-centred care (1.0)
- Are professionally competent midwives who provide safe and effective midwifery care using intelligent kindness (2.0)
- Work collaboratively in order to provide excellence in maternity care (3.0)
- Are professionally engaged critical thinkers who take a lively and questioning approach and embrace lifelong learning (6.0)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, you will participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to assist you to develop understanding and awareness of the issues related to the health and wellbeing women experiencing a complexity during labour, birth or the puerperium. Exploration and engagement with contemporary, evidence-based care and practice will assist in building your professional skills and developing competency and respectful care for women during labour, birth, and the puerperium.
Online learning activities
Students access online learning resources either prior to or in place of face-to-face attendance. Online resources enable students to clarify complex concepts and terminology and engage with sensitive or confronting topics at their own pace. Online activities are then discussed in class to share learning, experiences and reflections.
Tutorials
Face-to-face tutorials are provided to enable students to learn, clarify, discuss and develop subject concepts. These classes are supported by follow-up in clinical laboratory sessions.
Clinical skills, communication, and simulation
Students will participate in the simulated practice of clinical skills used in midwifery practice, including supporting women in labour, birth, and the puerperium. These sessions will be conducted at UTS in the midwifery clinical laboratory. Students will also develop their competency in the safe administration of medications and drug calculations through simulation. Students learn and practice clinical and interpersonal skills with case scenarios in the classroom. These practice scenarios incorporate the development of professional communication skills including consultation and referral to the multidisciplinary team.
Case studies and stories from practice
Case studies and stories from practice depict people and their families in authentic clinical scenarios. Students use these scenarios to learn concepts, interpret information and develop creative solutions. Critical thinking is developed through analysis, interpretation of and reflection on issues or situations.
Professional ePortfolio
Students further develop their professional ePortfolio. This online record encourages students to take an active role in the documentation, observation and review of their own progress. It is a powerful tool for focusing awareness or attention on what has been learned throughout the course, self-assessment and the development of a professional identity.
Clinical placement
Students complete 160 hours of clinical placement experience in a maternity unit, including operating theatres, to develop and consolidate their knowledge, skills and attributes relevant to the care of women and babies. Students provide midwifery care to women, babies, and their families, under the direct supervision of registered midwives and medical practitioners. Students must successfully complete the required period of clinical practice as part of this subject and submit their professional experience portfolio for assessment at the end of the semester.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Medication administration assessment
| Intent: | The intent of this assessment is to develop students competence regarding the safe administration of medications to women and babies in their care. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): H This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
Assessment task 2: Reflection on Continuity of Midwifery Care Experiences (CoMCE)
| Intent: | This assessment is intended to further develop students' reflective skills and their learning related to their CoMCE. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E, F and H This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0 and 2.0 |
| Type: | Essay |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 1500 words |
| Criteria: | Assessment criteria and marking rubric will be available via Canvas. |
Assessment task 3: Midwifery clinical placement documentation
| Intent: | The intention of this assessment is to assess students’ clinical learning and development in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's Midwifery standards for practice (NMBA, 2018) |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E, F and H This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0 and 2.0 |
| Type: | Portfolio |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
Assessment task 4: Case study based examination
| Intent: | To assess students' knowledge in the safe management of women with complex labour, birth or postnatal needs. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 6.0 |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 2 hours |
Required texts
Marshall, J. & Raynor, M. (Eds). (2014). Myles’ Textbook for Midwives, 16th edn. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Pairman, S. Tracy, S., Dahlen, H., & Dixon, L. (Eds.). (2019). Midwifery: Preparation for practice, 4th edn. Elsevier.
Recommended texts
Catling, C., Cummins, A. & Hogan, R. (2016). Stories in Midwifery: Reflection, Action, Enquiry. Elsevier.
Chapman, V. & Charles, C. (Eds.). (2013). The midwife’s labour & birth handbook, 3rd edn. Wiley-Blackwell.
Johnson, R. & Taylor, W. (2019). Skills for midwifery practice, 4th edn. Elsevier.
Marieb, E. & Hoehn, K. (2015). Human anatomy & physiology, 10th edn. Pearson.
Stables, D. & Rankin, J. (2017). Physiology in childbearing: with anatomy and related biosciences, 4th edn. Elsevier.
References
Foley, M.R., Strong, T.H. & Garite, T.J. (Eds). (2014). Obstetric intensive care manual, 4th edn. McGraw-Hill Medical.
Fraser, D. & Cooper, M.A. (2012). Survival guide to midwifery, 2nd edn. Churchill Livingstone.
Norwitz, E.R. (2010). Obstetric clinical algorithms: management and evidence, Wiley-Blackwell.
Simkin, P., Ancheta, R. & Myers, S. (2011). The labor progress handbook: early interventions to prevent and treat dystocia, 3rd edn. Blackwell.
Walsh, D. & Downe, S. (2010). Essential midwifery practice: Intrapartum care, Wiley-Blackwell.
Other resources
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